Vacaville High School bids adieu to 425 graduates

Vacaville High School Principal Ed Santopadre said the Class of 2013, which graduated Saturday morning, was a "hard-working class that put in extra time to be successful."

"Look around you," he said after the school's 118th commencement, standing midfield at Tom Zunino Stadium. "It's 100 degrees and no one is leaving. They liked being in school and being involved."

Valedictorian Chris Lai, who, moments later, picked up his diploma at a teacher-staffed table near the bleachers, reflected on this important passage in his life and his acceptance of a full-ride scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania, where he will wrestle and enroll in the Wharton School of Business.

"It means I was always trying to improve myself in every way," said Lai, 18, clad in a black gown, as all the boys were (the girls wore white). "I never wanted to be just part of the game. I was competitive."

With his large family gathered around, Alex Page, 18, also an honors student, an Eagle Scout and one of the school's 425 graduates, was "relieved" to attend his last event at the school.

"I'm excited," he said, adding that he will enroll in Brigham Young University in the fall to study applied mathematics. "I'm ready to move on." The second of six children, he plans to embark on a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mission next year.

Vyvianne Sanchez, 18, standing behind the west-side bleachers under a shade tree following the 90-minute ceremony, plans to travel to Mexico in the coming weeks to visit relatives. Other plans include attending Sacramento City College in the fall to pursue her goals of studying nursing and eventually becoming a veterinarian. Sanchez hopes to later attend the University of California, Davis.

"I love this school," said Vyvianne, who only attended Vaca High for her senior year. "It's like family, the Bulldog family (the school's mascot)."

"She'll forever be a Bulldog," said her mother, Veronica Gomez.

Like all the recent graduations in the area, Vacaville High's began with "Pomp and Circumstance" and a welcome from the principal.

Santopadre suggested that the graduates take with them "the rich history that makes Vacaville High a unique place."

Senior class president Haylie Holbein recalled freshman orientation four years ago and said "high school is about a commitment."

Co-salutatorian Brandon Sixto, pointing to the families, friends and relatives seated in the bleachers, looked at his classmates and said, "Somewhere in the bleachers are people who pushed you forward."

"Challenge yourself," he said just before ending his remarks.

Grant Heinemeyer, the other salutatorian, thanked parents and teachers "for making this day a reality."